Recently Melissa Jones, a Constable with the RCMP in Fillmore, Saskatchewan was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a rare type of blood cancer which mainly affects the white blood cells.

After Melissa was first diagnosed with AML, she received four rounds of chemo. In March she was found to be in complete remission. With further bone marrow biopsy testing, in July, it was found that the cancer was back. She then did another round of chemo at this time. Melissa is now currently in Saskatoon, getting prepared for the the stem cell transplant that is soon to be started. The procedures are expected to take up to or more than six months. Which will make for a very expensive stay for her.

Recent photo of Constable Jones after undergoing cancer treatments.

"It’s going to cost a substantial amount of money for the time she’s in Saskatoon for the stem cell transplant, and after, for follow up appointments," explained Alyssa Hanson, one of the organizers of the online fundraiser for Melissa. "So I'm just hoping that we can raise a decent amount so we can help her and her family out with this part of her cancer journey and hopefully make things less stressful while she deals with this battle she has become faced with."

The auction fundraiser began online a few days ago and they hope to keep it going for as long as they can to be able to significantly help Constable Jones and her family out.

"Mel is originally from Ottawa, Ontario," Hanson told. "She came to Saskatchewan in 2016 after she was hired with the RCMP. Then completed her RCMP training at the Depot in Regina, and was then stationed in Fillmore, SK. Mel’s biggest supporters are her boyfriend Riley, and her little dog, Bailey. Mel’s family has also been by her side through this journey, including her brother Dustin, who was found to be her perfect stem cell match."

Melissa with her boyfriend Riley and his son Sutter.

Constable Jones' brother Dustin was tested to see if he could be a possible stem cell donor for the upcoming transplant procedure as siblings often have a 25% match with each other. And he was found to be a 10 out of 10 match for her stem cell transplant.

"So we are asking for donations for the online auction for Melissa," said Hanson. "Anything across the board. We have homemade loaves of bread and we're going to be doing tons of cupcakes and cakes. There's gift baskets, jewelry, and decorative items that people have donated. I'll be posting a few items for people to bid on each day. For each item there will be a closing date that you can see on the page. Basically anything that people could bid and donate money to always helps in situations like this."

Just some of the tasty items currently up for bid in the online auction fundraiser!

Constable Jones has been in our area for just over four years and has become a very familiar face in Weyburn as well.

"Fillmore deals with a lot of the area in Weyburn as well and Fillmore was where she was first placed with the RCMP," stated Hanson. "And I think that the community is behind her in this situation. I'm just happy that everyone is coming together to support her because she is an amazing person that definitely deserves it."

For more information and/or to make a donation or bid feel free to view and join the Cancer Fundraiser Online Auction page for Constable Jones.

"Mel is a fighter and is determined to kick cancers butt," expressed Hanson. "Mel is one of the nicest people that I have met. She's the most positive and upbeat person that I can think of. She's just a beautiful person inside and out. And she deserves all of the love and support that this world has to offer her."

Photo of Constable Melissa Jones with her brother and mother.